How much fun can you actually have in an hour and still point out something good? The 1st eCart World Championship took place on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Millerntor. There were Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg, musician Bosse, technical director at FC St. Pauli Ewald Lienen and co-founder of the organizer Viva con Agua Michael Fritz. And I was allowed to be right in the middle of it all with my camera.
This fun event was of course about raising money for... Viva con Agua and their water and sanitation projects along with the Welthungerhilfe to generate. Information about the organization's work was also not neglected and was broadcast to the world via live stream.
The first eCart World Championship was held in two semi-finals and of course a final. First, Nico Rosberg and Michael Fritz drove onto the track. Micha had specially put on a loose jacket that doubled his body aerodynamically. Nico Rosberg won easily. The second semi-final between Ewald Lienen and Bosse was much more exciting. For a long time, both drove next to each other. Only when Ewald asked his opponent during the drive, "Do you want to go to the final?" was he able to overtake Bosse.
Before the finale came, the numerous camera teams present were able to ask their questions. A funny situation arose when Ewald and Nico spoke in Spanish in front of the German cameras.
In the race itself, Ewald Lienen was ahead for a long time. But Nico Rosberg not only knows how to win on four wheels, but also on three.
In this one hour at the 1st eCart World Championship for Viva con Agua, a lot happened besides the actual racing. One of the funniest situations in my career as a photographer so far happened before the start of the final when Nico and Ewald shook hands and more and more of the large number of photographers and camera teams around them wanted them both to look into the camera at the same time. I counted: I took 32 pictures and in one of them both were looking at me. While everyone was shouting "here, here"... I have rarely laughed so much.
Speaking of laughing: my friend Bjørn Kaas kindly stood at the other end of the race track and took photos there with his X-T20 and my X-T2. He (among other things) made a very good impression in the final. Here is picture number two. Consequence: FUMS released Lienen and called for the use of Photoshop. Rarely laughed so much… So this is how virality works.
In any case, Nico Rosberg came across as very personable and relaxed at every minute of the event. Absolutely professional and with Ewald Lienen he had the local hero of his heart around him. Unfortunately, Bosse lost a bit, but I had the feeling that he was completely fine with that. Ultimately, Viva con Agua was supposed to be the focus – and that seems to have been successful.
In any case, the ones used by Lienen, Bosse and Rosberg can signed eCart for Viva con Agua. And I find it very amusing that I was outbid at Lienens Cart at €19,10 by none other than Schneck Kalla…
cool photos, cool action 🙂
The Spanish interlude was great and afterwards Ewald said something like, “Nice signature, have you practiced it?” to Nico when he was signing on the e-carts.
You could tell that everyone was having fun.
Yes, so much happened yesterday that I watched the live stream again later to catch all the little things. 🙂